Island community steps up to save Avon’s Annual 4th of July Fireworks Show

In the fall of 2023, organizers behind the annual Independence Day fireworks show in Avon were very concerned that, for the first time in memory, the show would be canceled in 2024 due to a lack of funds.

With rising costs and dwindling donations, there was a big gap between expected funds and the estimated $40,000 required for the 2024 display, which covers the pyrotechnic contractor, security expenses, permitting costs, and miscellaneous needs like port-a-potties near the Avon Pier.

The Avon display is the only Independence Day fireworks display on Hatteras Island, and the Avon Property Owners Association (APOA) works as the sponsor or financial agent of the show. The annual event is solely funded by donations, and the APOA has been spearheading the Avon fireworks since 2012.

Prior to the APOA’s involvement, the Avon fireworks were launched by local volunteers, headed by resident Kenny Brite, but that changed after a 2009 explosion on neighboring Ocracoke Island killed four people while they were setting up the Ocracoke community’s annual 4th of July display.

That 2009 incident led to several consecutive years of no fireworks on Hatteras or Ocracoke Islands, and increased regulations for local fireworks displays in the years that followed, which is when APOA stepped in to take the reins of the annual event.

“The fireworks show returned to the Avon Pier in 2012, and over about a 10-year period, the show generated more in donations than it cost,” said Rick Anzolut of the APOA in an earlier interview. “We had a cash reserve during the first 10 years of operation, but over the last two years, that cash reserve has dropped dramatically.”

“Over the last two years, the cost of the show is about 40% more than it used to be,” said Anzolut.

Donations are typically collected in the fall, as even though the July event is months away, contracts with the pyrotechnic company need to be finalized in early 2024.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau gives $15,000 to the Avon show every year, but even with this reliable contribution, the funds available were falling short of the $40,000 goal line.

“We had a safety net, but we went over the safety net over the last two years,” said Anzolut.

Last year, the APOA raised $14,000 from businesses and individuals, but if they accumulated the same amount for 2024, the organization would have been $7,000 short of funding the show.

With this looming gap in mind, in early November, the APOA shared the concerning news of a potential 2024 cancellation with the Hatteras Island community, and the community responded with enthusiasm.

Though there may be hurdles ahead, thanks to a wave of individual contributions, the annual 4th of July fireworks show off the Avon Pier is likely back on for next year.

“APOA members and other island residents have really stepped up with individual contributions, and the situation has improved greatly,” said Anzolut. “If business contributions parallel last year, the 2024 show looks very promising.”

“It’s safe to say that the APOA has exceeded expectations with individual donations this year,” said Terry Ponton, President of the APOA.

The exact figures are still being calculated, but Anzolut and Ponton estimate that individual donations are three times more than last year, and that’s just the donations that have been collected over the last few weeks.

“It’s remarkable how well individuals have responded,” said Anzolut. “They made a very strong statement that they don’t want to see the show end… They have done their patriotic and community duty, for sure.”

There’s one last piece of the puzzle to guarantee a fireworks display in 2024, and that is contributions from local businesses.

Traditionally, around 12 businesses provide donations for the show, and if the financial response from local businesses is the same as in previous years, then the show can go on for the indefinite future.

“That is going to be the key,” said Ponton. “The businesses have to step up because these individuals cannot maintain this level of giving indefinitely.”

“It’s clear that individuals do not want to see the fireworks show to end, and the APOA feels pretty confident that the business community doesn’t want the show to end either, but it’s going to take the business community stepping up to ensure that the show can be held in 2024 and beyond,” said Anzolut.

The APOA Fireworks Committee will be reaching out to the business community in the weeks and months ahead, once the busy 2024 visitor season begins.

“The business community will likely get a sponsorship package from us soon, and we certainly hope for a strong response there,” said Anzolut. “We always understood that this might not be the best time for the business community to make a decision – the off-season is a tough time of year for them – but it’s clearly a good time for individual [donations].”

In the meantime, the APOA is grateful and delighted with the community response, which has minimized the threat of a 2024 cancellation.

“It looks like a fair amount of our gap, at least for 2024, has been met by individuals,” said Anzolut. “It’s safe to say that with a strong business response, it could set the table for the 2024 fireworks show and beyond.”